“Record Store Day is such a great event that has hardly had any attention in country music,” wrote Dierks Bentley on his website. “Some of the coolest exclusive product comes out on this day at ind[ie] retailers, and I wanted country fans to be able to get in on the action. I may have a few surprise special guests up my sleeve too. I’m really excited to take over Easy Street for an hour that afternoon…Seattle is such a great music town.”

And those “special guests” could prove interesting. At Bentley’s L.A. show last Friday, for instance, which kicked off his current 2012 Country & Cold Cans Tour, he was joined by Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters and, later, actor Garrett Hedlund.

Now in its fifth year, Record Store Day is designed to celebrate the vibrant cultures and communities that have been built through the world of record stores–where fans and artists alike have long gathered to meet, greet, flip through the bins, and gain exposure to all kinds of new and exciting music.

Below are some of the country-related releases to look for on Record Store Day (Saturday, April 21):

Ralph Stanley, “Single Girl / Little Birdie” (78)
Two vintage songs from one of bluegrass and country music’s true originals. Note that this is not an LP, CD, or even a 45 — it’s an actual 78 RPM record! A limited release (500 copies total) from the San Francisco-based record label Tompkins Square.

Buck Owens, coloring book and flexi-disc
Here’s a truly unusual item — a vintage, uncirculated coloring book that was commissioned by Buck Owens in 1970. Each book also includes a new 4-track flexidisc and download card for the Owens classics “Act Naturally,” “Together Again,” “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail,” and “Crying Time.”

Lee Hazlewood, The LHI Years: Singles, Nudes, & Backsides (1968-71) (LP)
Best known as the writer behind the ’60s smash “These Boots Were Made For Walking,” the late Lee Hazlewood was a legendary producer and songwriter who regularly blurred the lines between country, pop, rock, and pretty much whatever else he wanted. He recorded some incredible duets with Nancy Sinatra, discovered Duane Eddy, but also produced records on Waylon Jennings, Gram Parsons, and Eddy Arnold, among many others. This new anthology digs into recordings from his own LHI (Lee Hazlewood Industries) label, and includes new liner notes from his friend, British journalist Wyndham Wallace.

Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Hummingbird (10″ EP)
You may never have heard of Mr. Billy (who also goes by his ‘real’ name Will Oldham), but the actor (Matewan, Old Joy) and singer/songwriter often records some unique takes on country classics. Here he covers Leon Russell‘s “Hummingbird” as well as Merle Haggard‘s “Because of Your Eyes.” Expect the sound to be lonesome, lo-fi, and fully heartfelt.

The Civil WarsLive at Amoeba (CD)“Billie Jean” (45)
Yes that’s right, the Civil Wars are covering Michael Jackson on a special 45 single. And they do it beautifully. They’re also releasing the limited edition EP/CD Live at Amoeba, recorded live in Hollywood on June 14, 2011.